New Flu Vaccines Could Protect Against All Strains

May 27, 2010 by legitgov

New Flu Vaccines Could Protect Against All Strains [that they create] 26 May 2010 A new vaccine may be able to provide some protection against all strains of influenza. Current immunizations create antibodies that target a specific piece of a molecule on the surface of the virus that researchers call its "head." That piece of the hemaglutinin protein evolves very quickly... The next-generation vaccine causes antibodies to go after a piece of the hemaglutinin that changes less often and that is present in many influenza strains. Researchers are calling them "headless HA" vaccines, and they could be the key to a universal flu shot. [Instead of 'headless HA,' they should call it 'brainless HAHA - no thanks.' --LRP]